May 28

Diamonds, Daisys, Snowflakes…

that-girl

 

When I was a young woman, I just loved That Girl.  I’d rush home from school to watch.  Later, several of us would watch in the common room of our dorm at college.

Over the years, I’ve owned videotapes, DVDs.  My mom bought me an episode guide for Christmas one year – which I still have.

A couple years ago, I was absolutely excited last year when I found Season 1 is available on Amazon Prime – for free.  I thought it would be just the perfect way to spend these rainy afternoons we’ve been having.  I don’t think I’ve watched it all year, though.  LOL

Now, however, my Tivo is bringing me two episodes every day.   Many I remember from just reading the short description so I save them for…later. I think I have a backup of 80 or so.

Each episode begins with a pre-credits teaser in which an odd incident occurs or a discussion foreshadows the episode’s story. The scene almost always ends with someone exclaiming “…that girl!”, just as Ann wanders into the shot or the character notices her. The words “That Girl” would appear over the freeze-frame shot of Ann. The opening credits during the first season featured Thomas, in character, strolling the streets of New York.

 

 

That Girl starred Marlo Thomas as the title character Ann Marie, an aspiring (but only sporadically employed) actress, who moves from her hometown of Brewster, New York to try to make it big in New York City. Ann has to take a number of offbeat “temp” jobs to support herself in between her various auditions and bit parts.

 

Ted Bessell played her boyfriend Donald Hollinger.  Many times during the show, Ann would say “Oh, Donald”.  It’s become a catchphrase in our family.

I was so sorry when he died in 1996.  It seemed like we were losing a family member.

 

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 1996— Ted Bessell, the actor who starred with Marlo Thomas in the television comedy series ”That Girl” and was a director of the ”Tracey Ullman Show,” died on Sunday at the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center. He was 57.

The cause was an aortic aneurysm, his family doctor said.

Mr. Bessell’s acting career spanned three decades, with appearances in at least 30 television productions including ”Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” ”Breaking Up is Hard to Do” and ”Don’t Drink the Water.” Perhaps his best-known role was as Donald Hollinger, the steady but suffering boyfriend of Ms. Thomas’s character in ”That Girl,” from 1966 to 1971.

”To this day when I’m walking in the street, people stop and ask me, ‘How is Donald?’ ” Ms. Thomas said today.

Ms. Thomas said Mr. Bessell was discussing a feature film remake of the series in which the two main characters, now 25 years older, would meet again and fall in love. ”That Girl,” set in New York City, was one of the first on television to focus on the life of a single woman.

From http://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/09/arts/ted-bessel-57-dies-pursued-that-girl-in-television-sitcom.html

 

That Girl also included a wonderful array of guest stars including Bernie Kopell, Ruth Buzzi, Dabney Coleman, Rob Reiner, Richard Dreyfuss, Carroll O’Connor, Teri Garr, Ethel Merman, Rob Reiner, Bill Bixby, Dick Shawn, Gary Marshall, Sid Caesar, Barry Williams, Vic Tayback, Larry Storch, Danny Thomas, McLean Stevenson, Avery Schreiber, Monty Hall, Jack Cassidy, Carl Reiner, Pat Boone, Russell Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Kenneth Mars, Regis Philbin, Joe Flynn, James Gregory, Reva Rose and Dick Van Patten.

Back to my show and my youth…

 

May 09

It’s Mother’s Day :)

happy-mothers-day

 

Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father’s Day and Siblings Day.

In the United States, the celebration of Mother’s Day began in the early 20th century.

It was in 1905 when Mother’s Day was finally introduced successfully by Anna Jarvis. She started a dedicated letter-writing campaign to declare an official Mother’s Day. Through Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, the first Mother’s Day was observed on May 10, 1908.

This day, to honor Anna Jarvis’s mother grew into a National Observance until in 1911 every state participated. Soon it was spreading internationally and on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day a national holiday to be held on the second Sunday of May.

 

Apr 11

Barbershop Quartet Day is Back!

National Barbershop Quartet Day is observed annually on April 11.  Barbershop quartets have a way making the heart flutter.  Very often they transport us back to a simpler time or at the least make it stand still.

Barbershop quartets are a style of a cappella or unaccompanied vocal music.  Their music features songs with understandable lyrics and easily singable melodies.

Between 1900 and 1919 barbershop music found its popularity.  In the 1920s, it began to fade into obscurity.  However, the barbershop quartet saw a revival when the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America was founded.  This tongue twister of a men’s organization grew quickly as did other similar organizations promoting barbershop music as an artform.  Today, just under 25,000 men in the United States and Canada are members of the SPEBSQSA.  SPEBSQSA often called “SPEBS” for ease is now called The Barbershop Harmony Society.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers, established in 1945, committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. This independent, nonprofit music education association is one of the world’s largest singing organizations for women. “Harmonize the World” is the organization’s motto. It has a current membership of 24,000 and holds a yearly international singing competition.

We were waiting for a small Windjammer Barefoot Cruises ship when we met some folks who lived relatively near us.  Karen was also a music teacher and we clicked right away.  She belonged to a Sweet Adelines group relatively near me and I joined up.

I loved everything about Sweet Adelines – the singing, the sequins, the wigs, the false eyelashes, the competitions, the conventions – everything but the huge time commitment.

In the early days, we made our own costumes, complete with rows of sequins.  Our “sewing room” – now my mom’s room – has an outline on the floor from where I had to spray on Fray Check.  Forgot to use a newspaper underneath.  Oops!

Then, I got Cushing’s and had to take a lot of time off for surgery and such.  I tried going back a time or two but I just couldn’t handle it.

I still have my collection of medals from various competitions over 10 years and some days I really miss it.

I still love to listen to Barbershop and have a large collection in Spotify.

Here’s a favorite from the men:

 

 

My old group:

 

 

Sadly, the Windjammers have gone out of business.  In October 1998, Hurricane Mitch was responsible for the loss of the s/v Fantome, a four-masted schooner operated by Windjammer. All 31 crew members aboard perished; passengers and other crew members had earlier been offloaded in Belize.

The ship, which was sailing in the center of the hurricane, experienced up to 50-foot (15 m) waves and over 100 mph (160 km/h) winds, causing the Fantome to founder off the coast of Honduras.

The story was recorded in a compelling book The Ship and The Storm by Jim Carrier.

Apr 06

Tartan Day: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Scotland

I have my Black Watch tartan ready to go to wear at the parade in New York whenever COVID allows…

 

 

Don’t be surprised if you see people decked out in tartan this weekend. Today, April 6, the United States is celebrating National Tartan Day. The day is intended to recognize the contributions of Scottish Americans to the U.S.

Here’s a look at five things you didn’t know about Scotland…
Read the whole article at: Tartan Day: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Scotland – ABC News

Apr 06

Tartan Week!

April 6 is National Tartan Day. This is an official national holiday which kicks off Tartan Week.

National Tartan Day honors all the Scottish heritage that flows through this nation.

From its earliest beginnings, Americans with Scottish ancestry endeavored for that freedom as much as any American.  It was in their blood.

It was 400 years before they had declared –“For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom alone which no good man give sup except for his life.”  – from the Declaration of Arbroath

It might be surprising to know that of the 13 governors in the newly established United States, 9 where Scots. There are 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence.

Some scholars suggest nearly a third of those signers were of Scottish descent. Not only can we point to the country’s founding fathers, but of the 43 Presidents who have taken office, 33 have been of Scottish descent.

Those with Scottish blood were and are independent and resourceful. They are prolific inventors and writers. They are talented musicians and artist, skilled leaders and scholars. In the United States today, over 11 million Americans claim Scottish or Scotch-Irish roots. That makes them the 8th largest ethnic group in the United States.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Check local civic websites for parades, ceremonies and events.  Wear your tartan and use #NationalTartanDay to post on social media.

Black Watch tartan

Black Watch tartan

HISTORY

On March 20, 1998, the United States Senate passed Resolution 155 that designated April 6th of each year as National Tartan Day to recognize Scottish Americans and their achievements and contributions to the United States.

On March 9, 2005, the House passed Resolution 41 and by Presidential Proclamation, it was signed by President George W. Bush on April 4, 2008.

On this day in 1320, Scot’s signed the Declaration of Arbroath, formally declaring their independence from England.

For more information visit www.americanscottishfoundation.com.

 

 

 

Adapted from: NATIONAL TARTAN DAY – April 6th | National Day Calendar

 

Apr 06

April 6: National Tartan Day

tartan-day
NATIONAL TARTAN DAY

April 6 is National Tartan Day. This is an official national holiday.

  • April 6th has been designated as National Tartan Day, a day for celebrating Scottish heritage and pride.
  • The New York Tartan Day Parade is usually held the Saturday nearest Tartan Day. The 2017 18th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade will be held on April 8th.

National Tartan Day honors all the Scottish heritage that flows through this nation.

From its earliest beginnings, Americans with Scottish ancestry endeavored for that freedom as much as any American.  It was in their blood.

It was 400 years before they had declared –“For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, but for freedom alone which no good man give sup except for his life.”  – from the Declaration of Arbroath

It might be surprising to know that of the 13 governors in the newly established United States, 9 were Scots. There are 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence.

Some scholars suggest nearly a third of those signers were of Scottish descent. Not only can we point to the country’s founding fathers, but of the 43 Presidents who have taken office, 33 have been of Scottish descent.

Those with Scottish blood were and are independent and resourceful. They are prolific inventors and writers. They are talented musicians and artist, skilled leaders and scholars. In the United States today, over 11 million Americans claim Scottish or Scotch-Irish roots. That makes them the 8th largest ethnic group in the United States.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Check local civic websites for parades, ceremonies and events.  Wear your tartan and use #NationalTartanDay to post on social media.

 

Black Watch tartan

Black Watch tartan

HISTORY

On March 20, 1998, the United States Senate passed Resolution 155 that designated April 6th of each year as National Tartan Day to recognize Scottish Americans and their achievements and contributions to the United States.

On March 9, 2005, the House passed Resolution 41 and by Presidential Proclamation, it was signed by President George W. Bush on April 4, 2008.

On this day in 1320, Scot’s signed the Declaration of Arbroath, formally declaring their independence from England.

For more information visit www.americanscottishfoundation.com.

 

Adapted from: NATIONAL TARTAN DAY – April 6th | National Day Calendar

Apr 04

Happy Easter!

 

 

Easter symbolizes the renewal of life. I wish you and your family the renewal of life, love, and happiness.

 

Mar 01

The Music Man

 

 

A few years ago TCM was doing 31 Days of Oscars.  I first sort of noticed this when I looked ahead in the scheduling and noticed that all TCM shows were alphabetized.  At first, I thought maybe that this scheme was some sort of placeholder before I realized what they were doing. Personally, I preferred when 31 Days grouped films by nomination category, by studio or by actor. Alphabetical is easy for them but hard on me, looking through every entry to see what to record.

 

Saturday, we were up to the M’s and Tivo faithfully recorded (The) Music Man.  When I watched it on Sunday, I was most pleased to realize that I remembered all the words.

 

 

Remembering all the words is no small feat.

I first started collecting records (yes, records!) of musicals when I was in high school in Springfield, MA.  Our library had an outstanding record collection, but I could only check out one (or 2?) at a time.

I would bring my record(s) home, and listen to them like crazy.  Then I’d save my allowance and any work money I had and go to the local department store to buy my favorites.   I always bought musicals and they were nearly Original Broadway Cast.  Years later, I still have all these records, even though I usually listen on Spotify or on one of my carefully curated playlists. (I also can’t listen to any of the music out of order.)

As the years roll by, many of these musicals, like The Music Man, have gone on to become films.  I am not usually a happy camper when the music is changed from what I remember of the OBCs and the film, but The Music Man film made the cut for me  🙂

 

 

Feb 22

My Ringtone: Scotland the Brave

blackwatch-pipers


“Scotland the Brave” (Scottish Gaelic: Alba an Àigh) is a Scottish patriotic song. It was one of several songs considered an unofficial national anthem of Scotland.

My cellphone ringtone is Scotland the Brave. At any event or rehearsal, everyone knows it’s my phone, if one is ringing 🙂  I posted a bit about that here: http://maryoblog.com/2015/08/

Below, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards pipes and drums perform Scotland The Brave, The Black Bear and Highland Laddie on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. In typically inclement Scottish weather, the Pipes and Drums were performing to mark the release of their second album Spirit of the Glen: Journey. Part of this album was recorded when the regiment was on active service in Iraq.

 

 

 

A view of the amazing Scottish country taken from across Scotland.

 

 

I had no idea that there were lyrics and I’ve never heard anyone singing them but here they are:

Hark when the night is falling
Hear! Hear the pipes are calling,
Loudly and proudly calling,
Down thro’ the glen.
There where the hills are sleeping,
Now feel the blood a-leaping,
High as the spirits of the old Highland men.

Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever,
Scotland the brave.

High in the misty Highlands,
Out by the purple islands,
Brave are the hearts that beat
Beneath Scottish skies.
Wild are the winds to meet you,
Staunch are the friends that greet you,
Kind as the love that shines from fair maiden’s eyes.

Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever,
Scotland the brave.

Far off in sunlit places,
Sad are the Scottish faces,
Yearning to feel the kiss
Of sweet Scottish rain.
Where tropic skies are beaming,
Love sets the heart a-dreaming,
Longing and dreaming for the homeland again.

Towering in gallant fame,
Scotland my mountain hame,
High may your proud standards gloriously wave,
Land of my high endeavour,
Land of the shining river,
Land of my heart for ever,
Scotland the brave.

Feb 15

Happy Presidents’ Day!

Today is President’s Day, a combo of holidays for George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays, making a new Monday holiday.

These days people don’t seem to celebrate much except for having car and furniture sales.

When I was a kid, we lived in a small town (Pawcatuck, CT and Westerly, RI are sister towns, virtually interchangeable with each other).

Our combined town celebrated George’s birthday with cherry pies.

All the kids went around to the stores, and even bars!, and collected Table Talk pies.

I would come home with piles of the pies – which I loved and is still my favorite today.

As far as I remember, no one did anything for Abe’s birthday 🙁

I have mentioned this quirky event to several others and nobody has heard of giving away cherry pies like this on any holiday.

But everyone I’ve asked wishes that it still happened!

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